This ripper see-it-to-believe-it indie documentary paints an eclectric portrait of graffiti, street and installation art. It begins as a broad overview of ultra contemporary styles then inconspicuously narrows into a study of one burgeoning artist and his weird and wonderful ways.

The ultimate strength of every documentary rests largely on its subject, and this one is a doozy – a blasé Frenchman named Thierry Guetta, who spends his life filming everything for no apparent reason before going on to become a celebrated modern art “genius” in his own right.

Rather than saluting Guetta’s achievements or presenting his story in the context of a study about his talents Exit Through the Gift Shop goes the other way, raising serious questions about what it takes to become a reverred artist and whether any nincompoop can crack the big time if they strike the right combination of variables.

Guetta is an endearing presence with plenty of wacky stories to reminisce about: he was interrogated by Big Mouse police for four hours at Disneyland; spent years filming every moment of every day; broke his foot a few weeks before his everything-rides-on-this exhibition; and was so unorganized that paintings were hung literally a few hours before the doors opened on his big day.

Guetta’s gradual plight to stardom-of-sorts is brought to the screen in a compelling fashion, with lashings of twisted contemporary aesthetic enlivening the running time. It’s a one in a million success story and, oh yeah, and it might not actually be true.

Exit Through the Gift Shop was after all directed by renown out-there British artist Banksy, who has proven himself over the years to be not just a mighty talented individual but a serial prankster and troublemaker to boot. Banksy appears in the film but he can’t show you his face; not because he’s also a dentist but because some of his art-related high jinx could earn him serious time in the slammer.

In short: nobody trusts Banksy and there are theories out there that say this film is just another stunt.

Nevertheless, Exit Through the Gift Shop is a great watch. Banksy sprays the film with a feast of eye-catching art: striking stencils, kooky installation pieces, ultra contemporary takes on pop culture. The images are bold, subversise and anachronistic – great looking puzzles that challenge viewers to analyse them on their own wacky terms. A little like the film itself.

Exit Through the Gift Shop’s Australian theatrical release date: June 3, 2010.